While trying to print a graphic, I discovered that my computer has a number of images on it that I don't want. Someone, without my knowing it, visited some porn sites, thought he could get away with it, and as a result I found images that those sites left on my computer. I cannot find them so I can delete them. I use Windows XP. I tried deleting "cookies" but that did nothing. I searched for jpg and gif files, but did not pull up any objectional images. I would appreciate help. Forgive me if this is not the place for this question.

While trying to print a graphic, I discovered that my computer has a number of images on it that I don't want. Someone, without my knowing it, visited some porn sites, thought he could get away with it, and as a result I found images that those sites left on my computer. I cannot find them so I can delete them. I use Windows XP. I tried deleting "cookies" but that did nothing. I searched for jpg and gif files, but did not pull up any objectional images. I would appreciate help. Forgive me if this is not the place for this question.

Can you use the File | Open dialog to find where the program gets images by default?

While trying to print a graphic, I discovered that my computer has a number of images on it that I don't want. Someone, without my knowing it, visited some porn sites, thought he could get away with it, and as a result I found images that those sites left on my computer. I cannot find them so I can delete them. I use Windows XP. I tried deleting "cookies" but that did nothing. I searched for jpg and gif files, but did not pull up any objectional images. I would appreciate help. Forgive me if this is not the place for this question.

First of all, make sure you can see hidden files and folders - in Windows Explorer > Tools > Options:

[attachment=86546:x.gif]

Depending on what program you were using to view/print the files:
1] Do you have an option to save? If so, try Save As... and see what destination the program offers to save the program in - it would normally offer to save in the source folder.
2] If you are using something like Windows Picture and Fax Viewer, the file name may be displayed on the top left of the Title bar which will give you an exact filename to search on:

[attachment=86547:x1.gif]

Presuming the files were downloaded from the web, they could be in the Temporary Internet Files cache - does emptying your cache clear them?

Final suggestion: try saving a picture file from the web. Does it offer a choice of where to save the file? - this may be the location the others are in.

I don't really understand how you have come to know that there are some images on the PC but at the same time don't know where they are. Where were you, in the OS, when you got that knowledge, how did you see them?

Joe & Leif have mentioned some good methods.

Leif,
"... like Windows Picture and Fax Viewer, the file name may be displayed on the top left of the Title bar which will ..."

One can also right-click on the image and select Properties to show the location and path. But I don't know how every other image viewers work.

I don't really understand how you have come to know that there are some images on the PC but at the same time don't know where they are....

Outlook, for example, makes a very good job of saving embedded images in emails in a very hidden folder when you view them. It's buried somewhere in Docs and Settings but does not readily show up in any normal Explorer window, although you can navigate to it by entering in the full path directly into the address bar - once you've worked out what it is!

Outlook, for example, makes a very good job of saving embedded images in emails in a very hidden folder when you view them. It's buried somewhere in Docs and Settings but does not readily show up in any normal Explorer window, although you can navigate to it by entering in the full path directly into the address bar - once you've worked out what it is!

Also the Windows Picture and FAX Viewer displays pictures it has indexed in the past, as well as the one you have just asked it to print. According to this post, you can clear the Temporary Internet Files folder to clear this.

Stuart,
I had never thought about that, in that way, even though I use the Windows Picture and FAX Viewer a lot, but that is due to a different MO and a different mail client etc.

But of course, if the TIF folder becomes the working directory, well then... you could happen to see almost anything. That's true for any image viewer if you point it at that folder; the clue here is, as you and Leif mentioned, probably the mail client or similar.

That is one good explanation, and I think you're on to something.

As I said, I usually don't have problems finding files, and that's for more than one reason: in a case like this, when one stumble on an image one doesn't recognise, it's obviously easy to exclude the known places, "My Pictures" or such, just because they are known and the image is not; what is then left? Usually the TIF folder or other cache folders, in other cases than them, it's often easy to find the folder. That's why I asked how the OP came to know this; printing where etc.

And the clue is mentioned in the question; someone, without the OPs knowledge, visited some sites.

So as you say; Internet Options and a good cleaning. The OP mentions "cookies", don't know what else was done.

I have noticed that images are stored on my C drive, when I go to certain web sites, without my making any effort to save them; mostly they are the directional images: arrows, etc. That was the case, I have been assured, with the objectionable images I'm trying to locate and eradicate from the hard drive. I hope to stop this hoarding of images by my computer. How I don't know...
I found these images when I was trying to print an image that was not recognized by software on my computer. Unfortunately, I do not recall the name of the program that popped up; it was one I do not normally use. That is the only reason I know of these objectionable images.

I am fairly confident that clearing out the contents of your Temporary Internet Files will delete these images.

To do this you should open Internet Explorer and from the Tools menu choose Internet Options, then look on the General tab for the button that will Delete temporary files.

A more selective option is available on the Advanced tab. You can select to delete only the Temporary Internet files and not include the cookies, password, and browser history that are included with the Delete option on the General tab.

Would this clear the temporary folder every time the computer is turned off? The images from other sites stayed on the computer even though the computer had been turned off and on several times over many days.

Would this clear the temporary folder every time the computer is turned off?

As the option states, the cache should be cleared when the browser is closed - meaning when you exit IE. In theory, if you shut down your PC 'ungracefully' without exiting IE first, there is a chance it won't be cleared.